Hercules Beetle

Color of the Hercules beetle body depends on the species and gender.

Females are usually brownishblack, while males have black head and black, brown or green body covered with black spots.

Pincers are used in mating rituals. Males fight with each other, using the pincers to pick up and slam the opponent onto the ground. Male with bigger pincers has a better chance to win and to mate with female.

Hercules beetles are very strong animals. They can lift load that is 850 times heavier than their own weight.

The larvae eat rotting heartwood, usually of deciduous trees, and the adults eat rotting fruits and tree sap. The eastern Hercules beetle is huge and strong.